2nd consult session

It was 4 hours of hospital today but feel like I now have a rheumy nurse I can talk too we had 1.5hrs together WOW. Helen gave a great opening chat about everything but RA so we got to know each other then kicked in with Methox chat do and don'ts and then gave me my little RA book to carry or keep safe. She also hated the versus tv ad which made me laugh and raved about NRAS.

My new little bible tells me my blood results each time and she had already marked in the first tests done, I had chest x rays today and 6 forms for up and coming blood works to be done. She set up next appointment for 8 weeks and gave me all the phone lines if I have an issue and how it works. She is updating my local GP. I had done my chest x rays almost as soon as I walked in to x ray dept. The pharmacy session went thro his views on the meds do and don'ts and sent me on my way.

I felt I could ask anything and now get I don't drop all the other meds till Methox kicks in and Pred I ight hate but I need it short term for 8 weeks to keep my hands better. I also learnt that 3mg and under there is no point so might as well be on 4-5mg and be better while I wait for M to kick in and then I can taper off.

I am tired and hands a b***h today but I actually feel I know what I am doing and why. (first time in my life hahaha)

[Pinkypie2018]

Well it's great you had such a good positive appointment and that you have a good rheumy team around you. I hope the methotrexate kicks in soon and is successful for you. It must be our lucky day as my appointment went well also. Looking forward for when my steroid jab kicks in so I can have 'normal' hands again, like you there so painful and swollen. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Pinkypie2018]

Pinkypie2018 good luck with the steroid injection hate my hands at the moment x

[Stowe]

Really pleased for you, it's a worrying time so good that you have your mind put to rest. Hopefully your medication will kick in soon so you can taper the prednisone. X

[Hidden]

👍 result!!’ I never got a little book. Dead jealous. 😁 hear to Mtx doing its job quickly

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I know I almost laughed as it made my special note taking book obsolete!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

If you would like a methotrexate blood monitoring book and the NEW2RA booklets just give us a call on 01628 823524 or email [e-mail].

[patsymay13]

Great news ...here’s hoping you will soon be pain free 🤞

[Lolabridge]

Such good news you've now got a really helpful and empathetic nurse. Hope the meds work quickly so you're pain free soon

[Sumdy]

So glad for you Deeb that it went so well and that you now feel you're getting somewhere or at least on the right road with a good guide. I never had a chest x ray and I think it's a very good idea to have one and I don't have an RA book! Do you mind me asking whereabouts in the country you are? Hope you soon start feeling better and life becomes easier 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Sumdy]

I am Norfolk & Lincoln border so go to Boston Lincs hospital x

[Sumdy in reply to Hidden]

Lovely part of the country! With good RA procedures. Unfortunately my part of the country doesn't do chest xrays as a matter of course at diagnosis. A shame! x

[Hidden in reply to Sumdy]

nras.org.uk/publications/me...

this is the one I got NRAS posted about it in 2017

[Sumdy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Deeb. I know it's important that you have your lungs checked before treatment. I've read about it and was disappointed when I realised my health board don't do it as standard procedure. I have to say that they've been very good in every other respect but it would have been nice to have my chest given the all clear. Hope you're having a reasonably good one Deeb x

[Hidden in reply to Sumdy]

You can order your free New2RA booklet from NRAS at [e-mail] or nras.org.uk/publications

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Clare for posting as I felt comforted by the book for some daft reason as it made some order in all of the info you have to take on

[stbernhard]

Very happy for you. It feels so good to have an ally with whom you can talk about anything. Hold on to the sentiment and remember it when things take a temporary downturn. There will always be a positive somewhere. All the best.

[nomoreheels]

Yay! A positive start, so pleased for you. Now all we need is for MTX to help & you'll be on the road to something more like normality. It's helpful to have a nurse who's understanding.

I'm on low dose prednisolone, 3mg. It does help me, proven when I try to taper it. Guess we're all different.